HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRCMinutes_2020_01_17
Brookings Human Rights Commission Notes (unapproved)
Friday, January 17, 2020
Cooper Room, Brookings Public Library
Attendance: Meagan Irvine-Miller (chair); Matt Rhodes (county representative & vice-chair); Lawrence Novotny,
(recorder); Kati Hanson; Hanna Holmquist; Jason Meusburger; Erinn Thomas; Kas Williams (SDSU liaison); Casey Bell
(city human resources technician – staff liaison);
Absent: Penny Hauffe; Marilyn Hildreth; Wren Murphy (student representative); Marci Gebers (police liaison); Susan
Rotert (city human resources director – staff liaison);
Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 12:04 pm.
Rhodes moved, Thomas seconded, to adopt the agenda. Motion passed.
Meusburger moved, Hanson seconded, to approve the minutes of the December 17 meeting. Motion passed
Liaison/EC/Staff Reports:
Williams distributed posters announcing SDSU’s Diversity Academy events for the spring and announcing events of
SDSU’s Multi-Cultural Center for the spring.
The Brookings Public Library is hosting a black history re-enactment event in February.
SDSU received the Bush diversity enhancement grant that it applied for. One of the grant goals is to work with local
employers to help them diversify their workforce. Rhodes will be BHRC’s point person in working on community
projects involved with the grant.
Novotny will work on compiling the 2019 annual report.
Diversity Potluck
Date is April 19. Miller, Hanson, and Novotny are on the committee to come up with the program for the potluck.
Legislature
HB 1057 punishes medical personnel who conduct transgender modification procedures or provide hormone prescriptions
to minors who consider themselves to be transgender. Miller submitted testimony in opposition to HB 1057 to the
House State Affairs Committee.
King Contest
Around 40 posters were received from 4th grade and around 15 from 5th grade. The posters were judged by Holmquist,
Miller, Thomas and Hanson. Thomas moved, Holmquist seconded, that the poster winners are as follows. Motion
passed.
• 4th grade
1st place ($25) – Tyler Davis
2nd place ($15) – Dante Martinson
3rd place ($10) – Shawna Nupen
Honorable mention (certificate) – Allyson Couser
• 5th grade
1st place ($25) – Tauyn Jae Everding
2nd place ($15) – Autumn Brink
3rd place ($10) – Honor Naughtau
Honorable mention (certificate) – Lexi Erp
Eight essays were received from Middle School and three from High School. The essays were judged by Novotny,
Meusburger, Rhodes, Murphy and Williams. Meusburger moved, Rhodes seconded, that the essay winners are as
follows. Motion passed.
• Middle school
1st place ($100) --Anika Hooda
2nd place ($75) -- Shae Lefers
3rd place ($50) -- Taya Haselhorst
• High school
1st place ($100) --Grace Enz
2nd place ($75) --Cherish Stern
3rd place ($50) -- Victoria Diersen
The posters will be displayed in the Brookings Public Library.
All of the winners will be presented with their prizes at the City Council meeting on January 28.
Bell will send thank you notes to the teachers for encouraging their students to enter the contest.
2020 Goals
The 2020 goals were reviewed and these suggestions were made.
Limit the King poster contest to 4th & 5th grades instead of the previous K-5.
Diversity potluck will be held in the spring. No fall potlucks.
Consider an alternative event to replace the fall potluck such as a town hall meeting or a debate.
Brookings Multi-Cultural Center and Bienvendos a Brookings are planning a block party in September as part of
Hispanic Heritage Month. Is BHRC interested in participating?
No trainings were conducted in 2019. Maybe try to hold a training this year in conjunction with the Bush grant.
Consider diversity and safe zone training for city and BMU employees. Invite Brookings Health System and
County employees to participate in the trainings.
We will continue the review of the goals at the February meeting.
Next meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, February 18.
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 12:37pm
Submitted by Lawrence Novotny, recorder